Does capitalism lead to the exploitation of women?

No. Capitalism leads to the freedom of all individuals — whether male or female — by banishing the initiation of force from all relationships. Capitalism is the only system that leads to political equality — an equality of rights (as opposed to an egalitarian equality of economic results).

Rights belong to all individuals equally. Under capitalism females have the same and equal political rights as males, since they have in principle an equal mental capacity to reason as males (though physically the average female is weaker). As capitalism is the social system that rewards production, under capitalism a rational woman can easily support herself.

As to wages, in a free market, an individual is paid based on the value of what he/she can offer to others. As an illustration, observe the large number of women, who earn enormous salaries that dwarf those of most men.